Kid-friendly food in Italy beyond pizza
Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Kid-friendly food in Italy beyond pizza

Many of my clients tell me that their biggest fear prior to arriving in Italy is finding food other than pizza for the fussy eater in their family. If you share those concerns and are wondering what to feed your kids in Italy beyond pizza, you’re in the right place!

The good news is that Italian food is typically simple flavours with fresh ingredients, and based on my travels throughout the world, I have to argue that it is the most child-friendly cuisine in the world.

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Savouring Italy, One Pasta Shape at a Time: A Journey Through Italy’s Regional Pasta Traditions
Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Savouring Italy, One Pasta Shape at a Time: A Journey Through Italy’s Regional Pasta Traditions

Dreaming of Italy with the family? Sure, there’s the art, the history, the jaw-dropping landscapes—but let’s be honest, Italy’s true heart is in its food. And what better way to dive into Italian culture than through pasta?

Each Italian region has its own signature pasta shape, and trying them is like taking a delicious bite out of local history, one forkful at a time.

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The ultimate guide to Truffle Hunting in Italy
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The ultimate guide to Truffle Hunting in Italy

Italy is not only renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, and mouthwatering cuisine but also for something hidden beneath its soil – truffles. And what better activity to escape the crowds of Rome and Florence than a typical Italian experience that combines nature, food, history and maybe even a cooking class and lunch? That’s what Truffle Hunts throughout Italy offer and in this blog post, you can learn all about them and find the best one for your trip!

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The Best Family-Friendly Day Trip from Rome
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The Best Family-Friendly Day Trip from Rome

Rome is a fabulous city with kids, and you are going to have a blast while you’re there. But it has to be said, that the buzzing city can be overwhelming. If you’ve booked Rome as a base for your dream Italy vacation and have 4+ days, you might be considering options for day trips or afternoon outings, outside the city- after you visit the Colosseum of course!

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Italy's best hiking trails (from a photographers eye)
Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell Vacation Portraits Kirstie McConnell

Italy's best hiking trails (from a photographers eye)

What do you picture when you first think of a vacation in Italy? Exploring the Colosseum? Walking the streets of Florence with Gelato in hand? Eating too much pizza in Naples? Maybe laying under an umbrella on the Amalfi coast?

Italy is all of that, but it’s also an amazing hiking destination. And I’m not just talking about Tuscany’s rolling hills or the spectacular Dolomites. Just 20% of the country is flat terrain. The rest is a hiker’s paradise with rolling hills and spectacular mountains. No matter your experience or fitness level, there truly is a hike for everyone here in Italy!

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Family-Friendly Cooking Class and photoshoot in Tuscany
Tuscany, Vacation Portraits, Photoshoot Tips Kirstie McConnell Tuscany, Vacation Portraits, Photoshoot Tips Kirstie McConnell

Family-Friendly Cooking Class and photoshoot in Tuscany

A passion for good food is really the centre of Italian culture and what better way to immerse yourself than a local cooking class? There are plenty of options to choose from in any city you may visit, but what can be hard is finding a class that is suitable for the youngest family members.

I recently photographed this family as they made fresh pasta in the family-friendly Tuscan Agriturismo, Al Gelso Bianco (which I also recommend for accommodation too). As you can see, the entire family got involved thanks to the wonderful teacher.

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Alba Truffle Hunt: Family-Friendly Experience and photoshoot in Piemonte
Tips, Family Photoshoot, Photoshoot Tips Kirstie McConnell Tips, Family Photoshoot, Photoshoot Tips Kirstie McConnell

Alba Truffle Hunt: Family-Friendly Experience and photoshoot in Piemonte

Among all this gourmet food and wine, you may be wondering what family-friendly activities there are in the Langhe?

Or perhaps you just want to build a break from wineries into your itinerary!

How about foraging for truffles?

I recently joined a young family on their guided truffle hunt just outside Alba and I highly recommend it. It was so lovely to head into the countryside, dig in the dirt and learn all about the truffles!

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Family-friendly sailing from Brindisi in Puglia
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Family-friendly sailing from Brindisi in Puglia

Stunning Baroque towns, crystal-clear seas to unwind, caves to explore and arguably home to the country’s best Gelato- that’s Puglia, “the heel of the boot”.

It gets super hot in summer to vacations on the peninsula are all about the sea. Like the entire Italian coastline, the best beaches are almost always paid (lido) and packed so when you’re ready for a break from the crowds but don’t want to part with the sea, sailing is the perfect solution.

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